Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-20
OUR WATER SUPPLY.
Tow IT 10 OBTAINED; HOW IT u
WASTED.
An Yeonenical Plan BY which the City
May Have Clear Water at
All Times.


Mr.. Charles L. Boiling, Supcrin-
tendent of the City Water Works, yes
terday submitted to his Honor Mayor
William @. Darlington his second an
nual report
After some Introductory matter, Mr..
Boiling says The race-way and banks
between Bosher's dam and the new
pump-house are not IN the best condi-
ton. They need repair and protection.
Damage was done by several freshets
in the early spring and summer. The
freshe. occurring about April LIST
reached within few inches the very
high water Of 1870 and 1877, and over
flowed the banks between the Five Mile
Lock and Bosher's dam and the head
wall nj the Ninc-AIile Lock, causing
several breaches, two Of which were
serious and expensive TO repair, entail
ing in all an expense OF So,244.4o
There are vet several points along the
line that need stone on the slopes TO
form a rip-rap and guard the banks
against washing from even ordinary
food. / made careful inspection and
examination of the entire line at the
fine of and after the subsistence OF the
aood. and am satisfied that, though we
cannot guard entirely against such dam
ace in the event OF such disastrous
freshets except by the outlay of large
sum, certain improvements can DE
made al a small cost which would great
lv add TO protection. Wasteways, con-
structed with both waste-gates and
overflow, should be put in---one Just
above the Five-Mile Lock; another
Near Korah depot. These would pro
vide relief in the event of the levels be-
coming too full either from overflow or
heavy rain-storms also, the canal-bank
between Korah and the Five-Mile Lock
shonld be raised. BY the outlay OF a
few thousand dollars this bank can be
raised above the height of the water OF
1877. the highest known. The guard
or vinc-wall at the Five-Mile Lock
sbould be raised and backed with clay,
covered with rip-np.
PUMP-woRKs.
iNe,c Pump WorkS.-Repairs have
been made at the new pump-works by
putting in substantial stone foundations
to some of the bearings and renewal OF
some of the crank-pins. The building has
been repaired and painted. Pump-set
No. 2 isin bad orderand will be repaired
at once-namely, by renewing the stone
foundation and crank-pins, as was done
To the other sets. The form OF bearing
will also be altered.
Steam Pump.-The Worthington
steam-pump and building are IN far
condition. 1t has been brought into
sse only upon extraordinary occasions.
In very cold weather ice-gOrging IN the
forebay for a time interferes with the
full capacity of the water-power pumps,
and at such times the steam-pump
proves its usefulness and necessity as
an auxiliary to our pumping system.
Old Pump Works.-The pumping
machinery and water wheels at this sta
ton have been thoroughly overhauled
and repaired, and are now in tirst-rate
condition. These pumps have a ca
pacity of nearly 100000 gallons
daily, and provide an abundant
supply for the low service. The adj
visibility Of making these repairs is
now plainly discerned. Not only
is Marshall reservoir kept full by their
means, but We are able to use the "a
inch main in Ashland street as an adj
<iitional supply to the high service,
which was much needed, this pipeser,
merly being used to fill Mar
voir from the New resegvon the dam.
Repairs also were amount of water
greatly increasinFproyision should be
IN the f 0Dce crPainting and repairing
the buildlns,I again making the place
into decnS-i ID comfortable as a resort.
attracuve,t of its proximity the place
On aGfSSr.iltly visited by a large number
y or citizens, and considering the
small cost Of repairs, should at least
present respectable appearance.
Our total pumping capacity now ag-
gregates about "a, COO, 600 gallons daily,
but should the consumption increase at
the ratio as shown in the past year, we
shall be compelled to add to our pumps
at an early day.
RESERVOIRS.
New RcserU0ir.-The reservoir,
banks. and roads are in good order. The
brick lining to the basins has been re-
painted except small area. The iron
railing enclosing the basins needs paint
ing, and the keepers house should be
repaired and painted. This reservoir
is now in the keeping of Mr.. Hum
phrey Calder.
Marshall RcserUOir.-The repairs
put on this reservoir and the grounds
during the past year now cause the
place to present a good appearance.
The buildings and enclosures are in
good order; the new fence sur
rounding the grounds adds both to its
appearance and protection. Mrs.
Baker has charge Of Marshall reser-
voir.
WATER MAINS.
.Suppb Mains.-The size, length,
and location of the supply mains can
be seen by reference to table No. 4.
In pursuance OF any recommendation q
20-inch main was laid along Linden,
beverly, Belyidere, and Madison streets,
a distance of $500 feet, and connec-
ton made between the 10 and 12-iDch |
mains terminating at the east side OF
Hollywood and the 20-iIch main in
Cary street. This pipe now acts as the |
feeder for our low service, and by lay |
ing this pipe and repairing the old |
pumps, we now use the 24-inch pipe in |
Ashland street formerly used asa pump |
MAIN as an additional supply main
from the new reservoir. This was
much needed, and has added greatly to
the pressure at various points on the
high service,
Distributing Mains. During the
past year nearly five miles of distribu-
ting-pipe was laid, as may be seen
by reference to table No. 3. In
connection with this, twensy-eight fire.
hydrants were put in. A great improve
ment was accomplished by connecting, /
wherever il was feasible, all dead ends |
of pipes and giving a general circula-
ton and constant pressure. 1t is to be
hoped that proper provision win be
made this year for pipe extensions